[UPDATE 11:22 p.m.] Two From Hoopa Killed by Alleged Drunk Driver in Redding This Morning

Although the Redding Police have yet to release information, Hoopa locals report that the two deceased are young women from their area.

Press release from Redding Police:

On November 3, 2017 at approximately 12:35 a.m., officers of the Redding Police Department responded to numerous calls regarding a serious traffic collision on Churn Creek Road at Hartnell Avenue. Medical personnel and police arrived within minutes and found two vehicles near the intersection with major damage to both vehicles. The intersection of Churn Creek Road and Hartnell Avenue was subsequently closed for approximately five hours while the investigation was conducted.

The initial investigation revealed a Ford Freestyle collided with the rear of a Toyota Corolla. The impact sent both vehicles through the intersection. Officers arrived alongside medical personnel and learned two of the occupants of the Toyota, one being its driver, suffered major trauma and were pronounced deceased at the scene. The three remaining passengers of the Toyota were transported to local hospitals for treatment.

Ralph Joseph, 19 years of age of Hoopa, CA had injuries to his left arm and left leg and was later released from the hospital. Daisy Reece, 18 years of age of Redding, CA had complaint of pain to her head and was released from the hospital. Clifford Bailey, 19 years of age of Redding, CA suffered a broken jaw and remains at the hospital but is expected to survive.

The driver of the Ford Freestyle was the lone occupant and was in the driver’s seat. The driver was identified via her California license as Kendra Andersen-Schwegerl, 25 years of age of Redding, CA. She had minor injuries consistent with being the driver and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Officers at the scene noted objective symptoms of possible alcohol intoxication from Andersen-Schwegerl as well as open containers inside the Ford Freestyle and requested assistance.

Due to the severity of the collision, traffic officers were requested alongside DUI Specialist Jacob Provencio to complete the investigation. Traffic officers interviewed witnesses at the scene and reviewed evidence. Their initial investigation revealed Andersen-Schwegerl had passed a witness while travelling southbound on Churn Creek Road in excess of the posted 35 mph zone. The witness noted Anderson-Schwegerl was straddling the two south bound lanes of travel when she collided with the driver’s side rear of the Toyota which was stopped for the red light.

Officer Provencio responded to the hospital and conducted an initial DUI investigation. He noted Andersen-Schwegerl had objective symptoms of intoxication. Andersen-Schwegerl was arrested for driving under the influence causing injury. She consented to a blood draw. The results of the blood draw weren’t immediately available but were submitted to the California Department of Justice for analysis.

Andersen-Schwegerl was released from the hospital and transported to Redding Police Investigations for an interview. She admitted to consuming alcohol as well as knowing that driving while intoxicated was dangerous.

Andersen-Schwegerl was subsequently booked into the Shasta County Jail for two counts of vehicular manslaughter, DUI with injury, and DUI with a blood alcohol above .08%. The Shasta County Coroner’s Office is conducting the investigation into the identities of the deceased. All parties involved appeared to be wearing their seatbelts and only the airbag in the Ford Freestyle was activated.

Driving while intoxicated is a serious crime and represents a very significant danger to everyone. Citizens are encouraged to call 911 when they believe someone is operating a vehicle while under the influence.

The case will now be forwarded to the Shasta County District Attorney’s office for review and subsequent prosecution. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the Redding Police Department’s Traffic Unit at 530-225-4200.

UPDATE 11:22 a.m.: Channel 7 News is reporting that the victims are Erica Young and Wa-Rec Lacy Mae Jackson

This is so sad. I am so sorry for the families of the deceased. My family has been a victim of fatal drunk driving in the past. Unfortunately, drunk driving is not taken seriously and the punishment is minimal. I don’t know what it will take to change this.

Thst girls gonna get the book thrown at her!!
What a tremendous loss, our hearts go out to you hoopa ♡

Maybe we need to bring public humiliation tactics back as punishment, especially with social media, its pretty easy to get a lot of people seeing it..
Or maybe all cars need breathalizers that wont let the car start if ur over the limit.

I like your name…I often wonder about the reasoning for the alcohol promoting fundraisers…for schools, for hospice, for VFDs. If alcohol is merely served, that is one thing, but to have “brews & blues” or “wine for hospice” events just seems wrong. Especially when you have to drive to Shelter Cove or some similarly winding dangerous road to get there & home again.
Can’t we raise money to do good without using alcohol as the lure?

My prayers and love go out to the families. These were beautiful, wonderful girls! Good people! Pure souls! Each had goals, and wanted to better this valley. Terrible! I will never forget the smiles on their faces! My respects to the family! May the Creator comfort you in your time of grief!

So sad people strait go to throw a book at her or say bad things. It was a terrible mistake I’m sure she wishes to take back. They are ALL someone’s child grandchild brother and or sister or good friend. Please it’s bad enough don’t bash. Sending good medicine prayers to all involved such terrible terrible accident. May the creator be watching over you all threw thing hard time. Aho.

Liberal and Jgnative, Not her fault? Who’s fault might it be then. She was driving, she held the glass or bottle of booze to her mouth and consumed it and than did it again, and again. Preceded to get into the car and than killed two beautiful young women. I don’t know about anyone else can’t speak for them but my money’s on it being with out any question HER FRICKEN FAULT. Not her parents or her cronies because she had the choice to chose from right or wrong. If you want to give sympathy to someone give it to those young woman who had their lives ahead of them or their Mom and Dad who can no longer hold them in their arm’s or be able to see the babies that they’ll never have. Try starting there.

Jgnative if I were u I would consider using a different descriptor than (terrible) “mistake.”

A mistake is forgetting to use your blinker or running out of gas or getting lost or neglecting to set your e-brake. Saying driving under the influence in the reckless manner described is a mistake makes you sound like u think felony DUI causing injury and death is the same as locking yourself out of your car.

Heartbroken over the needless killing of two wonderful, kind, sweet young women. So thankful that the passengers are not grievously injured. Yes, prayers up for all the families and our community. The school district is providing grief care support to students and staff.

Yes, I am angry over the actions of the drunk driver. The harsh reality is far too real for the families. Seeing the devastation on the faces of folks today in Hoopa Valley, the tears and sadness is palatable.

Maybe in time my anger will abate. My primary concern is for the families the drunk has torn asunder.

I remember an episode of “Jail” Portland precinct where this happened and the guy arrested was strapped into a wheelchair for his own safety. He was drunk and distraught and sobbing and yelling for god to just kill him now and he wished he was dead instead because he caused a drunken fatal. The cops were dully stoic trying to calm the blithering whimpering suspect but he went on and on shouting he killed someone and oh god kill me I’m so sorry….. I wonder if footage like that played at traffic school and driving classes would have any lasting effects on people…